About us
Origins and Founding
The story of the Clarenville Area Consumers Co-operative began in 1967 when a young Frank Collins of Shoal Harbour attended the Co-H Camp in Pasadena, NL. At the camp, he discovered the benefits of a co-operatively run canteen, where profits were returned directly to members. Inspired by this idea, Collins invited David Garland, Managing Director of Newfoundland Co-operative Services, to visit Clarenville and speak with local residents about the power of co-operation.
On January 16, 1968, 25 community members gathered at Horwood High School to hear Garland’s presentation. From that meeting, a provisional board was formed, and just two months later the Co-op was officially registered. By June 26, 1968, the first store opened its doors in a rented building with 180 members, one manager, and four employees. The success was immediate, with sales surpassing expectations and a 6% patronage dividend returned to members at the first Annual General Meeting.
As membership and demand grew, the Co-op needed more space. On December 17, 1970, the first member-owned store opened in what is now the Clarenville Shopping Centre. The 8,960 square foot facility quickly became a hub for the community. In the years that followed, the store expanded several times. An additional 6,500 square feet was added in 1974, followed by another 5,600 square feet and a full facelift in 1985. The Co-op also introduced a Gas Bar in 1991, further expanding its services.
Growth and improvement didn’t stop there. Renovations in 1998, 2002, and 2021 kept the store modern and welcoming. On June 4, 2012, a new Gas Bar opened on Shoal Harbour Drive, offering even greater convenience for members. In 2022, the Co-op celebrated two major milestones with the launch of its Bulk Centre and the opening of the Co-op Dollar Stop $hop, both of which quickly became popular additions to the community.
Today, what started as a small group with a shared vision has grown into a thriving co-operative with over 13,000 members and more than 60 employees. True to its roots, the Clarenville Co-op remains committed to community, leadership, and shared success, always putting its members at the heart of everything it does.